He spent 43 years of his life doing Service in Prashanthi Nilayam -
shouldering the responsibility of running the South Indian canteen,
developing Planetarium infrastructure, taking care of our beloved
Swami's non-human devotee which transcends the human devotion - Sai Geetha.
His life is synonymous to the path of Karma-Yogin as declared by
Bhagawan himself.

Brothers,

This email is to share the beautiful and unique experience/opportunity we
had to converse with Sri Peddi Reddy garu in our recent Sivarathri trip to
Parthi.

It was around 5 in the evening and the mood of the group as usual was
upbeat. The ambience was perfect with the lush green fields as the
backdrop; with birds giving the background music; under the cool shade of
the tall trees; the twilight illumining the scene to give just the right
effect, and not to forget our jumbo Sai Geetha popping in cartful of king
sized water melons into her mouth!

We, more than 50 in number, finished our work and were ready for some
Satsang, Peddi Reddy garu was also there with us with his hands
slightly free from work- without a doubt the whole scene was perfectly
orchestrated by Swami Himself. We immediately grabbed the opportunity to
request him to share some of his experiences after entering the Sai
realms. The initially reluctant Karma Yogin later could not stop his
immense love and devotion for Swami pouring out in the form of the
conversation.

Peddi Reddy garu first came to Parthi in 1956 along with handful of
youth from Godavari District. He instantly knew that the right place for
him in this life is at the Lotus feet, so he immediately resolved
that he would be back after doing M.Sc in Physics. When he returned to
Parthi in 1963 Bhagawan handed over the responsibility of running the
canteen, which he accepted with utmost humility. As time lapsed he was
also made in- charge for constructing the Planetarium. During this time,
he used to wake up at 2:00 am and then work in the fields till Darshan
time at 6 am only to save couple of hundreds of Rupees, which were used
for other needy projects. Later his responsibility
was extended as the caretaker of Sai Geetha. The Masters degree
holder in Physics now had to master Agrarian and Veternararian skills
also.

The last time Swami gave him an interview was around 25 years ago, when
asked as to what keeps him going even today his simple answer was that his
incentive was not the physical proximity with Bhagawan, or the
conversation with Him to fulfill his personal needs, but the sense of duty
for the task which Swami has assigned him. The sense of Urgency in his
tone and action to serve Swami in this avatar left us spellbound. Karma
Yogin, as he is aptly referred to never stepped out of Parthi in the last
30 years.

Sai Geetha - The Devotee

Sai Geetha was found as baby elephant trapped in Bandhipur forests.
The forest officer being Swami's devotee, offered this lovely Child to
swami. Could there have been a much safer and delightful place for this
innocent being!

Early days of Sai Geetha in Prashanthi Nilayam were beyond
comprehension. Swami used to catch her trunk and go around for the darshan. Everyday in the morning she used to go around the Nilayam 108
times and then get ready to garland the Master Of the Worlds! Its
been told that it can sense Swami's presence even from five miles. As she
grew older, caretakers suggested swami to let it go to the forest as
it was mating phase of its life. Swami told them that it wouldn't get
involved in any such process as it was already deeply devoted to the Lord,
but Swami finally yielded to their request and let it go to the Bandhipur
forests. Over three months passed, swami visited the forest only to
observe Sai Geetha isolating itself from the rest of the elephants
and apparently it also reduced its diet as it could not consume the food
in the forest, and it never got into the mating. Inspite of this
indelible demonstration of its Love for Bhagwan, Swami wanted to give some
more time for her in the forest. The moment she saw Swami she ran behind
His car for a long distance. When Swami returned after six months
nothing much changed! Indeed it is an example set up for the rest of the
world by the apparently less evolved being.

Why did you not include his name?

About four years back, Swami decided to felicitate all the long standing
members who were serving in the Prashanthi Nilayam all these years. When
finally the list was prepared Peddi Reddy garu's name was missing. When it
was shown to Swami from among more than hundred names he precisely noticed
the absence of Peddi Reddy garu's name.

Immediately Swami enquired, " Why is Peddi Reddy's name
not included? He is a Karma Yogin. Include his name too". Well, this
in itself was the best recognition that Peddi Reddy garu could ever get!
As a person his monthly expenditure is not even in hundreds of rupees...a
great learning for all of us.

It was under his guidance that for the first time our Hyderabad boys
got the opportunity to serve in the canteen. When the service was done,
the following day Swami distributed clothes to all the Sevadal members.
Hyderabad boys missed out this opportunity and Peddi Reddy garu felt sad
for the boys. Next day in the Darshan he sat beside the boys and when
Swami was moving away he called out for Swami and told that even Hyderabad
boys had worked very hard. Listening to this swami distributed clothes to
the Hyderabad Group too. Here is a man who never asked Bhagwan any
personal benefits but was so enthusiastic to get the boys blessed by
Him...a great Leader he indeed is!

It was already dark in the fields and all the boys were listening
very intently. The reality donned and it was time for our dearest Peddi
Reddy garu to go back to canteen and ensure that everything is ready for
the thousands of devotees waiting for Prasadam.

We thank Swami for giving us this wonderful opportunity to interact with
such a great soul.

Jai Sai Ram

Posted on 12.04.2005 by
mailsreepada77

Excerpts
from a Sisters mail:

Swami was very playful for a couple of days this week! On Monday
morning (April 4th, 2005), Swami came after bhajans began. The car drove
straight in (not turning), straight past the ladies side, then it turned
towards the verandah, bypassing the gentís side. Swami got down and went
into the Mandir for bhajan. It seemed like a normal bhajan Darshan!

But after only one bhajan, Swami suddenly came out of the Mandir! He
motioned for bhajans to continue. He got in the car and directed it to go
straight towards the back of the verandah, towards the gentís side. Swami
did a round, giving Darshan to the gentís side, and drove straight past
the ladies and out to the Poornachandra. We thought that was that,
and several hundred people on both the gentís and ladies side, got up &
left the hall.

But lo! Suddenly the car was again driving into the hall! It again drove
straight past the ladies side, and turned and went out the Gopuram gate!
Gents and ladies ran amok, running to the back of the hall to catch a
glimpse of the disappearing car.

Instead of leaving the ashram, the car turned and went past the Canteen
and I guess, around the Poornachandra.

But suddenly what happened? Swami had made a round and was again coming
into the Darshan hall! There was amazed shaking of the heads and laughter
all around!

This time, Swami turned after entering the hall and went down the ladies
isle (wheelchair isle), turned and onto the verandah. When He had only one
foot out of the car, arathi began! How strange! But He was not deterred!
Though arathi was going on, Swami went into the bhajan hall and sat on the
chair! After arathi all was silence, as Swami sat in the chair for 5 or 10
minutes! He blessed everyone in the hall with upraised hand, then came out
and sat in the car again. The car came out the usual way, past the
wheelchair isle and
out of the hall. Swami looked over when He passed, with a smirk-like
smile, and boy did He looked pleased with Himself! Like a playful Krishna!

Most people coming out that day had wide smiles on their faces at the
unique Darshans! (...)